Dorothy A. Klein, 85, Valley City, ND died at the Sheyenne Care Center on August 27, 2019. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 6, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Valley City. Visitation will be held in the chapel at the Sheyenne Care Center on Thursday, September 5 from 5-7 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 (please use the West entrance of the care center for easier access to the chapel). Burial will be in St. Catherine Cemetery.
Dorothy Ann Ford was born June 3, 1934 in Ashtabula Township, North Valley, ND to Harold and Laurine (Dreis) Ford. She attended St. Catherine School in Valley City. In June 1954 she married Laurence (Larry) Diemert who was attending NDSU and became an Air Force pilot. The family moved often due to his service. They had four children (Corlee, Robin, Rick, Steve)
After Laurence passed, Dorothy and her children moved back to Valley City. To help with the finances she ran a nursery school in the basement of her home. She met Eugene Klein and they were married October 20, 1966. Eugene continued farming while the family lived in Valley City.
When the nest became empty, Dorothy worked in several places so she could enjoy visiting with many people. Dorothy loved her family and friends, her cat Bow, doing word puzzles with Gene, watching I Love Lucy, and wearing hats for special occasions.
Dorothy had a strong faith and was an active member of St. Catherine Catholic Church. She had many fond memories of working alongside her husband in their deaconate ministries, especially with engaged couples and hurting marriages; her years as a parish outreach worker; as an Associate Member of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation at Maryvale and steady volunteer at the Nearly Nu store. She eagerly lived a life of compassionate service and mercy, especially to the downtrodden.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Gene; daughter, Corlee (Mike) Fink; and son, Steven Diemert; sisters-in-law, Sharon Ford and Vicki Richie; nieces and nephews, Lori, Mike, Diane, Paul, Chad, Cherish, Kathie, Eric, Patty, Beth, and Blaine.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; sons, Robin “Rob” and Richard “Rick” Diemert; two brothers, Kenneth Ford and Donald Ford; and a sister-in-law, Donna Burch.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to be made to REACH (524 3rd Ave. NE; Valley City, ND 58072)
Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Dorothy’s family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com